Optical coherence tomography characteristics of responses to intravitreal bevacizumab in idiopathic choroidal neovascularization

Abstract

AIM: To investigate factors associated with responses to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in naive idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (iCNV) by high domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 40 eyes of iCNV patients who received a single or multiple IVB on an as-needed basis (1.25 mg/0.05 mL). One month after the first injection, subretinal fluid (SRF) volume was evaluated and the eyes were divided into 3 groups based on responses to IVB. Good, moderate, and poor responses were defined as 61%-99%, 30%-60%, and <30% resolution of SRF on OCT after IVB in iCNV, respectively. OCT findings were analyzed to find factors associated with difference in response levels. Comparisons were made using Wilcoxon’s matched-pairs signed-rank test, the Mann-Whitney U test for means with continuous data and Fisher’s exact test for categorical data. RESULTS: The mean number of IVB was 1.28±1.50 and mean follow up time was 3.60±1.20mo. At postoperative 1mo, there were 8 (20%) eyes in good response, 20 (50%) in moderate response and 12 (30%) eyes in poor response group and at last visit there were 28 good responders (70%), 8 (20%) moderate responders and 4 (10%) poor responders. Statistically significant difference was detected between good responders and non good responders in choroidal neovessels thickness (P=0.029), SRF height (P=0.049) and SRF volume (P=0.031) at post treatment 1mo. CONCLUSION: OCT is a valuable diagnostic tool. Decrease in choroidal neovessels thickness, SRF height and volume predicts favorable response of iCNV to IVB therapy.

Keywords

• bevacizumab
• idiopathic choroidal neovascularisation
• optical coherence tomography
• subretinal fluid